With kickoff tomorrow, Week 1 2023 NFL power rankings are here. Because the league is filled with so much parity and we haven’t even seen teams on the field for real yet, the order could vary greatly for these. Also, I went a little deeper for each team in our 2023 NFL season preview, so I recommend checking that out; but I’ve put the biggest questions for all 32 teams here for the initial power rankings.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
How many games will Chris Jones miss, and will it be costly for playoff seeding?
2. Philadelphia Eagles
Can the Eagles be the first repeat NFC East champion since 2004 and again push for home playoff games at the tough-to-play Lincoln Financial Field?
3. Buffalo Bills
Can the Bills keep their stranglehold on the division with the three teams behind them making improvements?
4. Cincinnati Bengals
Will the Bengals defense keep performing at a high level in big games—and can they get a little more from the offense in January (and perhaps February) to match it?
5. San Francisco 49ers
Can Brock Purdy continue to mesh with an electric offense with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle and keep up his magical run?
6. Detroit Lions
Can the Lions shoulder the high expectations, both internally and externally?
7. Baltimore Ravens
How much does the prolific Lamar Jackson use his legs—still a massively dangerous weapon—in the new offense?
8. Dallas Cowboys
Will Dak Prescott get back to form and cut down on the interceptions after throwing 15 in 12 games last season?
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Can former No. 1 pick Travon Walker emerge and form a top pass rushing duo with Josh Allen?
10. Los Angeles Chargers
Does the Chargers defense take a step into becoming closer to an elite unit in Year 3 under Brandon Staley?
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
Can the Steelers offense build on a strong summer and take the next step under Kenny Pickett?
12. Seattle Seahawks
The big question: Will the run defense hold up against top opponents in the NFC?
13. Miami Dolphins
Can Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins, who are already banged up, stay healthy—and do they have the depth to stay afloat if injury strikes to more star talent?
14. New York Jets
How will the Jets play early? If a slow start does indeed occur, will things unravel—or can they build momentum and ultimately click at the right time late in the season?
15. New England Patriots
Is the offensive line good enough to complement the other changes on offense—and does the roster have enough “juice” to compete for a championship?
16. Minnesota Vikings
Will the retooled roster have younger players step up at key positions?
17. New Orleans Saints
Can Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas play closer to the level they did a few seasons ago?
18. New York Giants
Will the offensive additions make a well-coached Brian Daboll offense one of the NFL’s best to help avoid falling off?
19. Tennessee Titans
Will veteran pieces like Ryan Tannehill and DeAndre Hopkins perform at a level that gets the Titans fully back on track?
20. Green Bay Packers
Will Jordan Love continue a stretch of top quarterback play for the Packers?
21. Denver Broncos
Will Russell Wilson round back to form under Sean Payton?
22. Las Vegas Raiders
Can Jimmy Garoppolo stay healthy and keep winning games with his new team?
23. Cleveland Browns
Will the Browns become too pass happy and not feature Nick Chubb enough?
24. Washington Commanders
Will the Washington defense become a shutdown unit?
25. Atlanta Falcons
Is Desmond Ridder the franchise quarterback for the Falcons?
26. Carolina Panthers
Will the offensive line protect No. 1 pick Bryce Young?
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Can the proud championship group—sans Tom Brady—fly around and become a top-five defense under Todd Bowles?
28. Chicago Bears
Will an elevated supporting cast help Justin Fields take the next step as a passer?
29. Los Angeles Rams
Can the Rams win shootouts if Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp are on the field?
30. Indianapolis Colts
Can Anthony Richardson immediately carry an offense that’ll be without Jonathan Taylor?
31. Houston Texans
How quickly can the accurate C.J. Stroud adjust to playing in an offense not as relatively talented as the one at OSU?
32. Arizona Cardinals
Are the Cardinals talented enough to avoid falling in big holes and play the style they want to?